Display unit

ABSTRACT

A display unit includes a substrate including a pixel region including a plurality of pixels and a peripheral region. The display unit includes a plurality of first electrodes, wherein each of the plurality of first electrodes is in a corresponding pixel of the plurality of pixels. The display unit includes a second electrode opposed to the first electrode, wherein the second electrode is common for all of the plurality of pixels. The display unit includes an organic layer between the second electrode and the plurality of first electrodes, wherein the organic layer includes a light-emitting layer. The display unit includes a wiring layer between the substrate and the plurality of first electrodes. The display unit includes an auxiliary electrically-conductive layer including an organic electrically-conductive material, wherein the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer is electrically coupled to the second electrode. The auxiliary electrically-conductive layer is in a recess in the wiring layer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/209,882 filed Dec. 4, 2018, which claims the benefit of JapanesePriority Patent Application JP 2018-089884 filed on May 8, 2018, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The technology relates to a display unit using an organicelectroluminescence (EL) element.

The organic EL element includes, between a first electrode and a secondelectrode, an organic layer including a light-emitting layer. Forexample, reference is made to Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication Nos. 2004-207217 and 2013-196919. In a display unit usingthe organic EL element, for example, the first electrode, the organiclayer, and the second electrode are provided in this order on a drivingsubstrate including a thin film transistor (TFT). In the display unit ofa top-emission type, light generated by the light-emitting layer isextracted from side of the second electrode. Hence, the second electrodehas light transmissivity with respect to light in a wavelength regiongenerated by the light-emitting layer, e.g., light in a visible region.For example, the second electrode includes an inorganic transparentelectrically-conductive material.

SUMMARY

The display unit using such an organic EL element is requested to reduceresistance of a second electrode.

It is desirable to provide a display unit that makes it possible toreduce resistance of a second electrode.

A display unit according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes asubstrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, an organic layer, andan auxiliary electrically-conductive layer. The substrate includes apixel region including a plurality of pixels and a peripheral regionoutside the pixel region. The first electrode is provided for each ofthe plurality of pixels in the pixel region on the substrate. The secondelectrode is opposed to the first electrode, and is provided common forthe plurality of pixels. The organic layer is provided between thesecond electrode and the first electrode, and includes a light-emittinglayer. The auxiliary electrically-conductive layer includes an organicelectrically-conductive material, and the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer is disposed in the pixel region on thesubstrate and is electrically coupled to the second electrode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitutea part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exampleembodiments and, together with the specification, serve to explain theprinciples of the technology.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an overall configuration of a displayunit according to one example embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an example of a configuration of apixel region illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a cross-sectional configuration takenalong line illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of anauxiliary electrically-conductive section illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another example of theauxiliary electrically-conductive section illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the display unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an example of aconfiguration of a pixel circuit illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view of one process of a methodof manufacturing the display unit illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process subsequent toFIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process subsequent toFIG. 8B.

FIG. 8D is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process subsequent toFIG. 8C.

FIG. 8E is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process subsequent toFIG. 8D.

FIG. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of oneprocess of the method of manufacturing the display unit illustrated inFIG. 3.

FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process subsequent toFIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process subsequent toFIG. 9B.

FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another example ofone process of the method of manufacturing the display unit illustratedin FIG. 3.

FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process subsequent toFIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of theprocess subsequent to FIG. 10A.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration of a mainpart of a display unit according to Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration of a mainpart of a display unit according to Comparative Example 2.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration of a mainpart of a display unit according to Comparative Example 3.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration of a mainpart of a display unit according to Modification Example 1.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration of a mainpart of a display unit according to Modification Example 2.

FIG. 17 is schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration of a mainpart of a display unit according to one example embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronicapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments of the technology are described below in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is to be noted that the following description is directed toillustrative examples of the technology and not to be construed aslimiting to the technology. Factors including, without limitation,numerical values, shapes, materials, components, positions of thecomponents, and how the components are coupled to each other areillustrative only and not to be construed as limiting to the technology.Further, elements in the following example embodiments which are notrecited in a most-generic independent claim of the technology areoptional and may be provided on an as-needed basis. The drawings areschematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. It is to be notedthat the like elements are denoted with the same reference numerals, andany redundant description thereof will not be described in detail. It isto be noted that the description is given in the following order.

1. First Example Embodiment (A display unit including an auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer in a pixel region)

2. Modification Example 1 (An example of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer not coupled to wiring lines)

3. Modification Example 2 (An example of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer provided on a second electrode)

4. Modification Example 3 (An example of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer including an organic transparentelectrically-conductive material)

5. Second Example Embodiment (A display unit of a bottom emission type)

6. Application Example (An example of an electronic apparatus)

1. First Example Embodiment [Basic Configuration]

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an overall configuration of a displayunit, i.e., a display unit 1 according to a first example embodiment ofthe disclosure. The display unit 1 may be, for example, an organic ELdisplay including organic electroluminescence (EL) elements. The displayunit 1 may be of a top-emission type that outputs light of any of red(R), green (G), and blue (B) from a top face. The display unit 1 mayhave a pixel region 110A in the middle and a peripheral region 110Boutside the pixel region 110A. The pixel region 110A may have aquadrangular shape, for example. The peripheral region 110B may have abezel shape surrounding the pixel region 110A.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a planar configuration of the pixelregion 110A. The pixel region 110A may include a plurality of pixels pr,pg, and pb that are arranged two-dimensionally. An image may bedisplayed on the pixel region 110A by an active-matrix scheme on thebasis of an externally received image signal, for example. The pixelspr, pg, and pb may each correspond to, for example, a sub-pixel, and aset of the pixels pr, pg, and pb may configure one pixel, i.e., a pixelPix. In the display unit 1, the pixel region 110A may include anauxiliary electrically-conductive section C together with the pixelsPix. The auxiliary electrically-conductive section C may be disposed ata position not overlaid on the pixels Pix in plan view, i.e., in X-Yplan view illustrated in FIG. 2.

The pixels pr, pg, and pb may each have a surface, for example, in arectangular shape, and may be disposed in stripes as a whole. Pixelsthat emit light of the same color may be aligned in a direction (i.e., acolumn direction in FIG. 2) along a long side of the rectangular shapeof each of the pixels pr, pg, and pb. The pixels pr may display a red(R) color. The pixels pg may display a green (G) color. The pixels pbmay display a blue (B) color. For example, the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section C may be provided, in a band-like shapeextending in the column direction, between corresponding adjacent (two)columns of the pixels Pix, or in a specific but non-limiting example,between a corresponding column of the pixels pb and a correspondingcolumn of the pixels pr. A plurality of auxiliaryelectrically-conductive sections C, for example may be provided in thepixel region 110A. In the pixel region 110A, the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive sections C having the band-like shape may bedisposed in parallel with one another, for example. In other words, theauxiliary electrically-conductive sections C may be disposed in stripes.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional configuration taken along lineillustrated in FIG. 2.

The display unit 1 may include organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B inthe pixel region 110A. The organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B may besealed between a driving substrate 10 and a counter substrate 30 thatare opposed to each other. The pixels pr, pg, and pb may respectivelyinclude the organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B. The display unit 1may include an interlayer insulating film 11, a wiring layer 12, and aplanarizing film 13 in this order on the driving substrate 10. Each ofthe organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B may be provided on theplanarizing film 13, and may include the first electrode 21,corresponding one of organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B each including alight-emitting layer, and the second electrode 23 in this order from theplanarizing film 13. A partition wall 24 may be provided between thefirst electrode 21 and the second electrode 23, and the partition wall24 may have openings serving as light emission regions of the organic ELelements 20R, 20G, and 20B. For example, a protective film 25 may beprovided on the organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B, and the countersubstrate 30 may be joined onto the sealing layer 31 provided on theprotective film 25.

The driving substrate 10 may include, for example, a substrate, and aTFT provided on the substrate. The substrate may include, for example,glass. The substrate may include, for example, quartz, silicon, or aresin material, or may be a metal plate. Non-limiting example of theresin material may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide(PI), polycarbonate (PC), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN).

The TFT may correspond to a driving transistor Tr1 and a switchingtransistor Tr2 of a pixel circuit 140 described later illustrated inFIG. 7, which is described later. The TFT may be provided for each ofthe pixels pr, pg, and pb. The TFT may include, for example, asemiconductor layer, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode inthis order in a selective region on the substrate. For example, an oxidesemiconductor material may be used for the semiconductor layer. In thisexample, the TFT may each have, but not limited to, a so-called top-gatestructure. In an alternative embodiment, however, the TFT may have aso-called bottom-gate structure. The semiconductor layer may include asilicon-based semiconductor such as amorphous silicon, polycrystallinesilicon (also called polysilicon), or microcrystalline silicon.

The interlayer insulating film 11 provided on the driving substrate 10may cover, for example, the semiconductor layer, the gate insulatingfilm, and the gate electrode of the TFT. The wiring layer 12 including aplurality of wiring lines may be provided on the interlayer insulatingfilm 11. The wiring layer 12 may include the wiring lines each providedfor corresponding one of the pixels pr, pg, and pb. Each of the wiringlines may be electrically coupled to corresponding one of the TFTs,i.e., the driving substrate 10 via corresponding one of contact holesprovided in the interlayer insulating film 11.

The interlayer insulating film 11 may include an inorganic insulatingmaterial or an organic insulating material. Non-limiting examples of theinorganic insulating material may include silicon oxide (SiO₂) andsilicon nitride (SiN). Non-limiting examples of the organic insulatingmaterial may include resin materials such as polyimide. The interlayerinsulating film 11 may be configured by a single layer, or may beconfigured by a stacked film of the inorganic insulating material andthe organic insulating material, for example. The wiring lines of thewiring layer 12 may include, for example, an electrically-conductivemetal material.

The planarizing film 13 may be provided across an entire surface of thedriving substrate 10 to cover the wiring layer 12. The planarizing film13 may be configured by stacking of an inorganic insulating film and anorganic insulating film in this order from side of the driving substrate10, for example. The inorganic insulating film may be, for example, asilicon oxide (SiO₂) film having a thickness of 200 nm. Alternatively,the inorganic insulating film may be, for example, a silicon nitride(SiN) film, a silicon oxynitride (SiON) film, or a stacked film thereof.The organic insulating film may be, for example, a polyimide resin film.The polyimide resin film may have a thickness of 3000 nm, for example.Alternatively, the organic insulating film may include, for example, anepoxy resin, a novolac resin, or an acrylic resin.

The organic EL element 20R may include the first electrode 21, theorganic layer 22R, and the second electrode 23 in this order on theplanarizing film 13. The organic EL element 20G may include the firstelectrode 21, the organic layer 22G, and the second electrode 23 in thisorder on the planarizing film 13. The organic EL element 20B may includethe first electrode 21, the organic layer 22B, and the second electrode23 in this order on the planarizing film 13. The first electrodes 21 ofthe organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B may be provided separately andrespectively for the pixels pr, pg, and pb. The second electrode 23 maybe provided common for all the pixels pr, pg, and pb. Light-emittinglayers of the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B may be providedseparately and respectively for the pixels pr, pg, and pb, for example.

The first electrodes 21 may each be, for example, a reflective electrodeserving as an anode. Each of the first electrodes 21 provided incorresponding one of the pixels pr, pg, and pb may be electricallycoupled to corresponding one of TFTs of the driving substrate 10 viacorresponding one of the wiring lines of the wiring layer 12. An end ofeach of the first electrodes 21 may be covered with the partition wall24.

Non-limiting examples of a constituent material of the first electrode21 may include a simple substance and an alloy of a metal element suchas aluminum (Al), chromium, gold (Au), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni),copper (Cu), tungsten, and silver (Ag). Alternatively, the firstelectrode 21 may include a stacked film of a metal film and atransparent electrically-conductive film including anelectrically-conductive material having visible-light transmissivity.The metal film may include a simple substance or an alloy of any of theabove-described metal elements. Non-limiting examples of the transparentelectrically-conductive material included in the transparentelectrically-conductive film may include indium-tin oxide (ITO),indium-zinc oxide (IZO), and a zinc oxide (ZnO)-based material.Non-limiting examples of the zinc oxide-based material may includealuminum (Al)-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO).The first electrode 21 may have, for example, a thickness of 100 nm to1000 nm both inclusive.

The auxiliary electrically-conductive section C may include, forexample, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 and the secondelectrode 23 in this order on the planarizing film 13. In other words,the pixels pr, pg, and pb may respectively include the organic ELelements 20R, 20G, and 20B, and the auxiliary electrically-conductivesection C may include the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 andthe second electrode 23. In the auxiliary electrically-conductivesection C, for example, a top surface of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 may be in contact with the secondelectrode 23 to electrically couple the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 to the second electrode 23. In otherwords, a current may flow through the second electrode 23 and theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 in the pixel region 110A.This allows for reduction in resistance of the second electrode 23. Inthe present example embodiment, the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer 26 may include an organic electrically-conductive material. Thismakes it easier to increase a thickness of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26, which makes it possible to effectivelyreduce the resistance of the second electrode 23. Further, this makes itpossible to form the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 having alarge thickness in a short time by means of a printing method, forexample. For example, in a case where the wiring lines are formed withuse of a metal material, processes such as masking using a photoresist,etching, and resist stripping are necessary after forming a film of themetal material by means of a method such as a sputtering method. Incontrast, using the printing method makes it possible to significantlyreduce the number of processes. Alternatively, the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 may be formed by means of aphotolithography method. In this case, the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 may be formed with use of an organicphotosensitive electrically-conductive material, for example.

The auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may include, for example,an electrically-conductive resin material. In a specific butnon-limiting example, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 mayinclude, for example, an electrically-conductive polymeric materialhaving an aromatic ring. Non-limiting examples of theelectrically-conductive polymeric material having an aromatic ring mayinclude polythiophene and polyaniline. Alternative examples of theelectrically-conductive resin material may include a lowelectrically-conductive resin material containing an inorganicelectrically-conductive material. The auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer 26 may have a thickness of 500 nm to 10 μm, for example.

The auxiliary electrically-conductive section C may have a contact holeof the planarizing film 13, and a bottom surface of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 may be in contact with a wiring line12W of the wiring layer 12 via the contact hole of the planarizing film13. The wiring line 12W may be coupled to, for example, a cathodecontact section provided in the peripheral region 110B illustrated inFIG. 1. The cathode contact section may be coupled to a ground potential(GND), for example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, which is described later.

FIGS. 4 and 5 each illustrate another configuration of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section C. In the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section C, the first electrode 21 may beprovided between the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 and thewiring line 12W. In other words, the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer 26 may be electrically coupled to the wiring line 12W via thefirst electrode 21. The auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 maybe provided on the partition wall 24, and the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 may be in contact with the firstelectrode 21 in an opening of the partition wall 24, as illustrated inFIG. 5.

The partition wall 24 provided on the first electrodes 21 and on theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may have openings that causemiddle portions of the first electrodes 21 and the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 to be exposed. The partition wall 24may ensure insulation between the first electrode 21 of each of theorganic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B and the second electrode 23, andmay separate the adjacent pixels pr, pg, and pb from one another.Further, in a manufacturing process, the partition wall 24 may serve asa partition in forming the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B by means ofa printing method. The partition wall 24 may include, for example, aresin material. Specific but non-limiting examples of the resin materialof the partition wall 24 may include photosensitive resins such as anacrylic resin, a polyimide resin, a fluorine resin, a silicone resin, afluorine polymer, a silicone polymer, a novolac resin, an epoxy resin,and a norbornene resin. Alternatively, the partition wall 24 may includeany of these resin materials containing a pigment dispersed therein. Thepartition wall 24 may have a height of 0.1 μm to 5 μm, for example.

Each of the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B provided between the firstelectrode 21 and the second electrode 23 may include, for example, ahole injection layer, a hole transport layer, the light-emitting layer,an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer in thisorder from a position closer to the first electrode 21. At least thelight-emitting layers of the organic layer 22R, 22G, and 22B may beformed by means of a printing method, for example, as described later.The organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B may include, for example,light-emitting layers of different colors. For example, thelight-emitting layer of the organic layer 22R, the light-emitting layerof the organic layer 22G, and the light-emitting layer of the organiclayer 22B may respectively generate a red color, a green color, and ablue color. The hole injection layers of the organic layers 22R, 22G,and 22B may have the same configuration. The hole transport layers ofthe organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B may have the same configuration.The electron transport layers of the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22Bmay have the same configuration. The electron injection layers of theorganic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B may have the same configuration. Thehole injection layer, the hole transport layer, the electron transportlayer, and the electron injection layer may be provided common for thepixels pr, pg, and pb.

The hole injection layer may suppress or prevent leakage. The holeinjection layer may include hexaazatriphenylene (HAT), for example. Thehole injection layer may have a thickness of 1 nm to 20 nm, for example.The hole transport layer may includeN,N′-di(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine (α-NPD),for example. The hole transport layer may have a thickness of 15 nm to100 nm, for example.

The light-emitting layer may be configured to emit light of apredetermined color by recombination of holes and electrons. Thelight-emitting layer may have a thickness of 5 nm to 50 nm, for example.The light-emitting layer of the organic layer 22R may include rubrenedoped with a pyrromethene boron complex, for example. In this situation,rubrene may be used as a host material. The light-emitting layer of theorganic layer 22G may include tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3),for example. The light-emitting layer of the organic layer 22B mayinclude 9,10-di(2-naphthyl)anthracene (ADN) doped with adiamino-chrysene derivative, for example. In this situation, ADN mayserve as a host material, and the diamino-chrysene derivative may serveas a dopant material. ADN may be deposited into a thickness of 20 nm,for example, on the hole transport layer. The diamino-chrysenederivative may be doped at a rate of 5% relative to a film thickness.

The electron transport layer may include2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BCP). The electrontransport layer may have a thickness of 15 nm to 200 nm, for example.The electron injection layer may include lithium fluoride (LiF), forexample. The electron injection layer may have a thickness of 15 nm to270 nm, for example.

The second electrode 23 opposed to the first electrode with the organiclayer 22R, 22G, and 22B in between may serve as a cathode, for example.The second electrode 23 may be provided across the entire pixel region110A to serve as a common electrode for all the pixels Pix. The secondelectrode 23 may have light transmissivity with respect to light inwavelength regions generated by the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B,i.e., light in a red wavelength region, light in a green wavelengthregion, and light in a blue wavelength region. The second electrode 23may be configured by a transparent electrically-conductive film, forexample. Non-limiting examples of a material of the transparentelectrically-conductive film may include indium tin oxide (ITO), indiumzinc oxide (IZO), and a zinc oxide (ZnO)-based material. Non-limitingexample of the zinc oxide-based material may include aluminum (Al)-dopedzinc oxide (AZO) and gallium (Ga)-doped zinc oxide (GZO). The secondelectrode 23 may have, for example, a thickness of 1 nm to 10 μm, andthe thickness may be determined in view of electrical conductivity andvisible-light transmissivity. Alternatively, the second electrode 23 mayinclude an alloy of magnesium and silver (Mg—Ag alloy).

The protective film 25 may cover the second electrode 23. The protectivefilm 25 may include silicon nitride, for example. The protective film 25may serve as a protective film to suppress or prevent moisture ingressinto the organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B and suppress or preventvariation in characteristics such as light emission efficiency of theorganic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B.

The sealing layer 31 may join the protective film 25 and the countersubstrate 30 together and seal the organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and20B. Non-limiting examples of a material of the sealing layer 31 mayinclude an acrylic resin, a polyimide resin, a fluorine resin, asilicone resin, a fluorine polymer, a silicone polymer, a novolac resin,an epoxy resin, and a norbornene resin. In an alternative example, thesealing layer 31 may include any of these resin materials containing apigment dispersed therein.

The counter substrate 30 together with the sealing layer 31 may seal theorganic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B. The counter substrate 30 mayinclude, for example, a material having light transmissivity withrespect to light in the wavelength regions generated by the organiclayers 22R, 22G, and 22B. The counter substrate 30 may include, forexample, a material such as transparent glass and transparent plastic.

The counter substrate 30 may include a color filter layer. The colorfilter layer may include, for example, a red filter, a green filter, anda blue filter. The color filter layer may be provided on one surface,e.g., a surface on side of the sealing layer 31, of the countersubstrate 30, for example. The red filter, the green filter, and theblue filter may be respectively disposed in a region opposed to thepixel pr, a region opposed to the pixel pg, and a region opposed to thepixel pb. The red filter, the green filter, and the blue filter may eachinclude a resin containing a pigment mixed therein.

A black matrix layer may be provided in a region between the red filter,the green filter, and the blue filter described above, i.e., in a regionbetween pixels. The black matrix layer may be configured by a resin filmcontaining a black colorant mixed therein, or a thin film filterutilizing interference of a thin film, for example. The thin-film filtermay include, for example, one or more stacked thin films includingmetal, metal nitride, or metal oxide. The thin-film filter may attenuatelight through interference of the thin films. Specific but non-limitingexamples of the thin film filter may include a filter in which chromium(Cr) and chromium(III) oxide (Cr₂O₃) are stacked alternately.

[Overall Configuration]

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the display unit 1. The display unit 1 may include thedriving substrate 10 including the pixel region 110A and the peripheralregion 110B, as described above. The pixels pr, pg, and pb may beprovided in the pixel region 110A, and a signal-line drive circuit 120and a scanning-line drive circuit 130 may be disposed in the peripheralregion 110B. The signal-line drive circuit 120 and the scanning-linedrive circuit 130 each correspond to a driver for image display.

A pixel circuit 140 may be provided in the pixel region 110A. FIG. 7illustrates an example of the pixel circuit 140, i.e., an example of apixel circuit of the pixels pr, pg, and pb. The pixel circuit 140 maybe, for example, an active drive circuit provided in the drivingsubstrate 10. The pixel circuit 140 may include a driving transistorTr1, a switching transistor Tr2, and a capacitor, i.e., a storagecapacitor Cs. The storage capacitor Cs may be provided between thedriving transistor Tr1 and switching transistor Tr2. The pixel circuit140 may further include the organic EL element 20R, 20G, or 20B betweena first power line Vcc and a second power line GND. The organic ELelement 20R, 20G, or 20B may be coupled in series to the drivingtransistor Tr1. The driving transistor Tr1 and the switching transistorTr2 may each be configured by a TFT, for example.

The pixel circuit 140 may include a plurality of signal lines 120A inthe column direction, and a plurality of scanning lines 130A in a rowdirection. An intersection between each of the signal lines 120A andcorresponding one of the scanning lines 130A may correspond to one ofthe pixels pr, pg, and pb. Each of the signal lines 120A may be coupledto the signal-line drive circuit 120, and the signal-line drive circuit120 may supply an image signal to a source electrode of the switchingtransistor Tr2 via corresponding one of the signal lines 120A. Each ofthe scanning lines 130A may be coupled to the scanning-line drivecircuit 130, and the scanning-line drive circuit 130 may sequentiallysupply a scanning signal to a gate electrode of the switching transistorTr2 via the corresponding one of the scanning lines 130A.

[Manufacturing Method]

Such a display unit 1 may be manufactured as described below withreference to FIGS. 8A to 8E, for example.

First, the interlayer insulating film 11 and the wiring layer 12 may beformed in this order on the driving substrate 10, as illustrated in FIG.8A. Contact holes for coupling of the wiring lines of the wiring layer12 to the driving substrate 10 may be formed in the interlayerinsulating film 11.

Thereafter, the planarizing film 13 may be formed on the wiring layer12, as illustrated in FIG. 8B. A silicon oxide film may be formed bymeans of a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to cover the wiringlayer 12, and thereafter, an organic insulating layer including aphotosensitive material may be formed by means of a spin coating methodor a slit coating method, for example, to form the planarizing film 13.Contact holes reaching the wiring lines, which include the wiring line12W, of the wiring layer 12 may be formed in the planarizing film 13.

Thereafter, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may be formedin a selective region on the planarizing film 13, as illustrated in FIG.8C. In this situation, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26may be coupled to the wiring line 12W via corresponding one of thecontact holes in the planarizing film 13. The region where the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 is provided may serve as the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section C. The auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer 26 may be formed by means of a printing method, for example.Alternatively, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may beformed by means of a photolithography method.

Next, the first electrodes 21 may be formed in regions that are notoverlaid on the region where the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer26 is formed, i.e., in regions where the pixels pr, pg, and pb areformed, as illustrated in FIG. 8D. A film of an electrically-conductivematerial may be formed by means of a sputtering method, for example, tofill the contact holes provided in the planarizing film 13, andthereafter the film of the electrically-conductive material may bepatterned by means of photolithography and etching to form the firstelectrodes 21.

After the formation of the first electrodes 21, the partition wall 24may be formed on the first electrodes 21, as illustrated in FIG. 8E. Thepartition wall 24 may have openings that cause the middle portions ofthe first electrodes 21 and the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer26 to be exposed.

Thereafter, the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B may be formed inregions partitioned by the partition wall 24. The organic layers 22R,22G, and 22B may be respectively formed in regions where the pixels pr,pg, and pb are to be formed, for example. The organic layers 22R, 22G,and 22B may be formed using the constituent materials of the organiclayers 22R, 22G, and 22B by means of a printing method such as anink-jetting method. Alternatively, the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22Bmay be formed by means of a printing method using a dispenser, forexample. In an example embodiment, at least the light-emitting layers ofthe organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B may be formed by means of aprinting method. In other words, in an example embodiment, each of thelight-emitting layers may be a printed layer. This makes it possible tofacilitate upsizing of the display unit 1, for example.

After the formation of the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B, the secondelectrode 23 including the above-described material may be formed on theorganic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B and on the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 by means of a sputtering method, forexample. Next, the protective film 25 may be formed on the secondelectrode 23 by means of a CVD method, for example. Thereafter, thecounter substrate 30 may be joined onto the sealing layer 31 provided onthe protective film 25. For example, the color filter layer may beformed in the counter substrate 30 in advance. Thus, the display unit 1is manufactured.

In an alternative embodiment, the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer 26 may be formed after the formation of the first electrodes 21,as illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9C. In a specific but non-limitingexample, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may be formed asdescribed below.

First, the interlayer insulating film 11, the wiring layer 12, and theplanarizing film 13 may be formed in this order on the driving substrate10.

Next, the first electrodes 21 may be formed on the planarizing film 13,as illustrated in FIG. 9A. In this situation, the first electrodes 21may be formed in a region where the auxiliary electrically-conductivesection C is to be formed, as well as in the regions where the pixelspr, pg, and pb are to be formed.

After the formation of the first electrode 21, the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 may be formed in the region where theauxiliary electrically-conductive section C is to be formed, asillustrated in FIG. 9B. Thereafter, the partition wall 24 may be formed,as illustrated in FIG. 9C. Processes subsequent to the formation of thepartition wall 24 may be similar to those described above. Thus, thedisplay unit 1 may be manufactured.

In an alternative embodiment, the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer 26 may be formed after the formation of the partition wall 24, asillustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. In a specific but non-limitingexample, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may be formed asdescribed below.

First, the interlayer insulating film 11, the wiring layer 12, theplanarizing film 13, and the first electrodes 21 may be formed in thisorder on the driving substrate 10, as illustrated in FIG. 9A. In thissituation, the first electrodes 21 may be formed in the region where theauxiliary electrically-conductive section C is to be formed, as well asin the regions where the pixels pr, pg, and pb are to be formed.

Next, the partition wall 24 may be formed on the first electrodes 21, asillustrated in FIG. 10A. Next, the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer 26 may be formed in the region where the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section C is to be formed, as illustrated inFIG. 10B. Thereafter, the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B may berespectively formed in the regions where the pixels pr, pg, and pb areto be formed. Processes subsequent to the formation of the organiclayers 22R, 22G, and 22B may be similar to those described above. Thus,the display unit 1 may be manufactured.

The auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 together with the organiclayers 22R, 22G, and 22B may be formed after the formation of thepartition wall 24, as illustrated in FIG. 11. In a specific butnon-limiting example, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 maybe formed as described below.

First, as described above with reference to FIG. 10A, the partition wall24 may be formed on the first electrodes 21. Thereafter, as illustratedin FIG. 11, the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B may be respectivelyformed in the regions where the pixels pr, pg, and pb are to be formed,and the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may be formed in theregion where the auxiliary electrically-conductive section C is to beformed. The organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B, and the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 may be formed by means of a printingmethod, for example. In other words, the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 may be a printed layer. After theformation of the organic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B and the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26, the display unit 1 may be manufacturedin a manner similar to those described above.

[Operation]

In the display unit 1, the scanning-line drive circuit 130 may supply aselection pulse to the switching transistor Tr2 of each of the pixelspr, pg, and pb to select the pixels pr, pg, and pb. The signal-linedrive circuit 120 may supply, to each of the selected pixels pr, pg, andpb, a signal voltage corresponding to an image signal, and the storagecapacitor Cs may store the supplied signal voltage. The drivingtransistor Tr1 may be subjected to ON/OFF control in response to thesignal stored in the storage capacitor Cs to feed a driving current tothe organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B. This may cause the organic ELelements 20R, 20G, and 20B, i.e., the light-emitting layers of theorganic layers 22R, 22G, and 22B to emit light by recombination of holesand electrons. The light may be extracted from each of the pixels pr,pg, and pb through the second electrode 23, the protective film 25, thesealing layer 31, and the counter substrate 30, for example. This causesthe pixels pr, pg, and pb to respectively emit a red light beam, a greenlight beam, and a blue light beam, and additive color mixture of thelight beams allows color image display to be performed.

[Workings and Effects]

In the present example embodiment, the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer 26 may be provided in the pixel region 110A, thus causing theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 to be electrically coupled tothe second electrode 23 in the auxiliary electrically-conductive sectionC near the pixels pr, pg, and pb. This causes a current to flow throughthe second electrode 23 and the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer26 in the pixel region 110A, which makes it possible to reduce theresistance of the second electrode 23. The workings and effects aredescribed below.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional configuration of a mainpart of a display unit, i.e., a display unit 101 according toComparative Example 1. The display unit 101 is of a top-emission type aswith the display unit 1, and includes the second electrode 23 configuredby a transparent electrically-conductive film. In the display unit 101,the second electrode 23 provided across the entire pixel region 110A iscoupled to a wiring line 12WB in the peripheral region 110B.

The second electrode 23 includes an inorganic material. Hence,increasing the thickness of the second electrode 23 results in a longerfilm formation time and a decline in yields. Further, increasing thethickness of the second electrode 23 results in reduction intransmissivity and light extraction efficiency. Accordingly, it isdifficult to increase the thickness of the second electrode 23. Hence,sheet resistance of the second electrode 23 is increased. The secondelectrode 23 having high sheet resistance may cause an increase in powerconsumption. Further, in the display unit 101, the second electrode 23is coupled to the wiring line 12WB in the peripheral region 110B. Thiseasily causes an uneven light emission state in the pixel region 110Afor the following reason. In the display unit 101, the wiring line 12WBis provided in the peripheral region 110B, which causes all currents inthe pixel region 110A to flow through the peripheral region 110B via thesecond electrode 23. This increases a difference in resistance of thewiring lines of the second electrode 23 between the pixels pr, pg, andpb located in a central portion of the pixel region 110A and the pixelspr, pg, and pb located in a portion closer to the peripheral region110B.

FIGS. 13 and 14 respectively illustrate cross-sectional configurationsof main parts of display units, i.e., display units 102 and 103according to Comparative Examples 2 and 3. In the display unit 102according to Comparative Example 2 illustrated in FIG. 13, in order toreduce the resistance of the second electrode 23, the second electrode23 is coupled to the wiring line 12W in the pixel region 110A. In thedisplay unit 103 according to Comparative Example 3 illustrated in FIG.14, in order to reduce the resistance of the second electrode 23, thesecond electrode 23 is coupled to an electrically-conductive film 33 inthe pixel region 110A. In such display units 102 and 103, the secondelectrode 23 is coupled to the wiring line 12W and theelectrically-conductive film 33, respectively, in the pixel region 110A,which makes it possible to suppress an increase in power consumption andvariation in the light emission state among positions in the pixelregion 110A.

In the display unit 102, a metal mask is used to directly couple, to thewiring line 12W, the second electrode 23 formed by means of a vapordeposition method, for example. However, it is difficult to upsize thedisplay unit 102 by means of this method. Further, the second electrode23 includes an inorganic material, which makes it difficult to increasethe thickness of the second electrode 23, as described above.

In the display unit 103, the second electrode 23 is coupled to theelectrically-conductive film 33 provided between a color filter layer 32and the sealing layer 31, which makes it necessary to provide a throughelectrode in a layer such as the sealing layer 31. Providing the throughelectrode causes an increase in cost and a decline in yields.

In contrast, in the present example embodiment, the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 including the organicelectrically-conductive material is provided in the pixel region 110A,and the second electrode 23 is coupled to the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26. It is possible to form the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 including the organicelectrically-conductive material by means of a printing method, forexample, thereby facilitating upsizing of the display unit 1. Further,it is possible to easily increase the thickness of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 including the organicelectrically-conductive material, thereby effectively reducing theresistance of the second electrode 23.

Further, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may be providedbetween the second electrode 23 and the wiring layer 12, i.e., thewiring line 12W, which eliminates necessity of a component such as thethrough electrode and makes it possible to easily couple the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 to the wiring line 12W. This makes itpossible to suppress an increase in cost and a decline in yields.

As described above, in the display unit 1, the second electrode 23 iselectrically coupled to the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26in the auxiliary electrically-conductive section C near the pixels pr,pg, and pb, which allows a current to flow through the second electrode23 and the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 in the pixelregion 110A. This makes it possible to reduce the resistance of thesecond electrode 23. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increasein power consumption and variation in the light emission state amongpositions in the pixel region 110A.

Moreover, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 includes theorganic electrically-conductive material, which makes it possible toeasily increase the thickness of the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer 26. This makes it possible to effectively reduce the resistance ofthe second electrode 23. Further, it is possible to form the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 by means of a printing method, forexample, thereby facilitating upsizing of the display unit 1.

In addition, a component such as the through electrode is unnecessaryfor coupling between the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 andthe wiring line 12W. This makes it possible to suppress an increase incost and a decline in yields that are caused by the component such asthe through electrode.

Description is given below of modification examples of the foregoingfirst example embodiment and another example embodiment. In thefollowing description, the same components as those of the foregoingexample embodiment are denoted with the same reference numerals, anddescriptions thereof are omitted where appropriate.

2. Modification Example 1

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional configuration of amain part of a display unit, i.e., a display unit 1A according toModification Example 1 of the foregoing first example embodiment. In thedisplay unit 1A, the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 is notcoupled to the wiring line of the wiring layer 12. In the display unit1A, for example, the second electrode 23 may be coupled to a cathodecontact section provided in the peripheral region 110B. Except thispoint, the display unit 1A has a configuration similar to that of thedisplay unit 1 according to the foregoing example embodiment, andworkings and effects thereof are also similar.

3. Modification Example 2

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional configuration of amain part of a display unit, i.e., a display unit 1B according toModification Example 2 of the foregoing first example embodiment. In theauxiliary electrically-conductive section C of the display unit 1B, thesecond electrode 23 and the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26may be provided in this order on the driving substrate 10. For example,the second electrode 23 and the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer26 may be provided in this order in a recess provided in the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section C, and a bottom surface and a sidesurface of the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may be incontact with the second electrode 23. Except this point, the displayunit 1B has a configuration similar to that of the display unit 1according to the foregoing example embodiment, and workings and effectsthereof are also similar.

In the display unit 1B, for example, the second electrode 23 may becoupled to the cathode contact section provided in the peripheral region110B. In an alternative embodiment, the second electrode 23 may becoupled to the wiring line of the wiring layer 12 in the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section C.

4. Modification Example 3

The auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 of any of theabove-described display units 1, 1A, and 1B illustrated in FIGS. 3, 15,and 16 may have light transmissivity with respect to light in awavelength region generated by the light-emitting layer. This makes itpossible for the display units 1, 1A, and 1B to serve as a transparentdisplay. In the display units 1, 1A, and 1B, for example, an image maybe displayed when the organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B emit light,and externally received light may be transmitted from the drivingsubstrate 10 to the counter substrate 30 when the organic EL elements20R, 20G, and 20B do not emit light. In other words, when the organic ELelements 20R, 20G, and 20B do not emit light, it is possible to seethrough side of a back surface of the driving substrate 10.

The auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may include, for example,an organic electrically-conductive material having light transmissivitywith respect to light of a wavelength in a visible region. Non-limitingexamples of such an organic transparent electrically-conductive materialmay include an electrically-conductive polymeric material having anaromatic ring. Non-limiting examples of the electrically-conductivepolymeric material having an aromatic ring may include polythiophene andpolyaniline. Alternative examples of the organic electrically-conductivematerial may include a low transparent electrically-conductive resinmaterial containing an inorganic transparent electrically-conductivematerial.

In the display units 1, 1A, and 1B each configuring a transparentdisplay, the wiring lines, including the wiring line 12W, of the wiringlayer 12 and the first electrode 21 may include a transparentelectrically-conductive material. For example, the first electrode 21including the transparent electrically-conductive material allows for anincrease in light transmittance when the organic EL elements 20R, 20G,and 20B do not emit light.

4. Second Example Embodiment

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional configuration of a main part of adisplay unit, i.e., a display unit 2 according to a second exampleembodiment of the disclosure. The display unit 2 may be of a bottomemission type, and light generated by the light-emitting layer may beextracted from side of the driving substrate 10. In other words, in thedisplay unit 2, the first electrode 21 may have light transmissivitywith respect to light in a wavelength region generated by thelight-emitting layer. The display unit 2 of the bottom-emission type mayinclude the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26.

As with the description in the foregoing Modification Example 3, thedisplay unit 2 may configure a transparent display. In this situation,the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 may have, for example,light transmissivity with respect to light of a wavelength in thevisible region, and may include an organic transparentelectrically-conductive material.

The auxiliary electrically-conductive section C may include theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 and the second electrode 23in this order from side of the driving substrate 10. The auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer 26 may not be coupled to the wiring lineof the wiring layer 12, or may be coupled to the wiring line, e.g., thewiring line 12W illustrated in FIG. 3, of the wiring layer 12. Theauxiliary electrically-conductive section C may include the secondelectrode 23 and the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer 26 in thisorder from side of the driving substrate 10, as illustrated in FIG. 16.

The display unit 2 may perform switching between a transparent displaymode and a black display mode, for example. The display unit 2 mayinclude, on the second electrode 23, a light adjustment film 27 and anelectrically-conductive film 28. The light adjustment film 27 and theelectrically-conductive film 28 may be opposed to the driving substrate10 with the second electrode 23 in between, and may be provided acrossthe entire pixel region 110A, for example.

The light adjustment film 27 provided between the second electrode 23and the electrically-conductive film 28 may perform switching betweenthe transparent display mode and the black display mode, and mayreversibly change between an opaque state, e.g., a black state and atransparent state. The light adjustment film 27 may be a functional filmthat instantaneously performs switching between the opaque state and thetransparent state in response to ON/OFF operations of the secondelectrode 23 and the electrically-conductive film 28. A material of thelight adjustment film 27 may undergo an oxidation-reduction reaction toelectrochemically change an optical state of the light adjustment film27. In an alternative embodiment, orientation of particles in the lightadjustment film 27 may be electrically controlled to controltransmission and scattering of light, thereby adjusting lighttransmittance of the light adjustment film 27. Theelectrically-conductive film 28 opposed to the second electrode 23 withthe light adjustment film 27 in between may apply a voltage to the lightadjustment film 27, and may have light transmissivity with respect tolight in a wavelength region generated by the light-emitting layer. Theelectrically-conductive film 28 may include, for example, an inorganictransparent electrically-conductive material.

For example, in the black display mode, the light adjustment film 27 maybe changed to the black state, and the organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and20B may emit light. Thus, an image may be displayed. For example, in thetransparent display mode, the light adjustment film 27 may be changed tothe transparent mode, and the organic EL elements 20R, 20G, and 20B maynot emit light. Thus, externally received light may be transmitted fromthe counter substrate 30 to the driving substrate 10, and it is possibleto see through the side of a back surface of the counter substrate 30.

5. Application Example (Electronic Apparatus)

The display units 1, 1A, 1B, and 2 according to the foregoing exampleembodiments and modification examples are applicable to a variety ofelectronic apparatuses. FIG. 18 illustrates a functional blockconfiguration of an electronic apparatus 6. Non-limiting examples of theelectronic apparatus 6 may include televisions, personal computers(PCs), smartphones, tablet PCs, mobile phones, digital still cameras,and digital video cameras.

The electronic apparatus 6 may include, for example, any of theabove-described display units 1, 1A, 1B, and 2, and an interface section60. The interface section 60 may be an input section that receivesvarious external signals and external electric power. Optionally, theinterface section 60 may include, for example, a user interface such asa touch panel, a keyboard, or operation buttons.

Although description has been given hereinabove with reference to theexample embodiments and the modification examples, the technology is notlimited thereto, but may be modified in a wide variety of ways. Forexample, factors such as a material and a thickness of each layer, and afilm-forming method as well as a film-forming condition exemplified inthe foregoing example embodiment, etc. are illustrative andnon-limiting. Any other material, any other thickness, any otherfilm-forming method, any other film-forming condition, and any otherfactor may be adopted besides those described above.

Further, the organic layer 22R, 22G, and 22B may each include at leastthe light-emitting layer. For example, the organic layers 22R, 22G, and22B may each include only the light-emitting layer.

Although the description has been given, in the foregoing exampleembodiments, etc., of the case of the display unit of an active-matrixtype, the disclosure is also applicable to a display unit of apassive-matrix type. The configuration of the pixel circuit 140 foractive-matrix driving is not limited to that described herein and mayinclude additional capacitors and transistors as needed. In this case,in addition to the scanning-line drive circuit 130 and the signal-linedrive circuit 120, any other necessary driving circuit may be addeddepending on alternation in the pixel circuit 140.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates an example of arrangement of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section C, the arrangement of the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section C is not limited thereto.

The effects described in the foregoing example embodiments are mereexamples. The effects according to an embodiment of the disclosure maybe other effects, or may further include other effects in addition tothe effects described hereinabove.

It is to be noted that the technology may also have the followingconfigurations.

(1)

A display unit including:

a substrate including a pixel region including a plurality of pixels anda peripheral region outside the pixel region;

a first electrode provided for each of the plurality of pixels in thepixel region on the substrate;

a second electrode opposed to the first electrode and provided commonfor the plurality of pixels;

an organic layer provided between the second electrode and the firstelectrode and including a light-emitting layer; and

an auxiliary electrically-conductive layer including an organicelectrically-conductive material, the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer being disposed in the pixel region on the substrate andelectrically coupled to the second electrode.

(2)

The display unit according to (1), in which

the pixels each include the first electrode, the organic layer, and thesecond electrode in this order on the substrate, and the pixel regionincludes, together with the pixels, an auxiliary electrically-conductivesection including the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer and thesecond electrode on the substrate.

(3)

The display unit according to (2), in which the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section is disposed at a position not overlaidon the pixels.

(4)

The display unit according to (2) or (3), in which the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section includes the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer and the second electrode in this order onthe substrate.

(5)

The display unit according to (2) or (3), in which the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive section includes the second electrode and theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer in this order on the substrate.

(6)

The display unit according to any one of (2) to (5), further including awiring layer provided between the substrate and the first electrode andincluding a plurality of wiring lines, the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer being electrically coupled tocorresponding one of the wiring lines.

(7)

The display unit according to (6), in which the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer is in contact with the corresponding oneof the wiring lines in the auxiliary electrically-conductive section.

(8)

The display unit according to any one of (2) to (7), in which theauxiliary electrically-conductive section is provided in a band-likeshape in the pixel region.

(9)

The display unit according to any one of (1) to (8), in which each ofthe light-emitting layer and the auxiliary electrically-conductive layeris a printed layer.

(10)

The display unit according to any one of (1) to (9), in which the secondelectrode has light transmissivity with respect to light in a wavelengthregion generated by the light-emitting layer.

(11)

The display unit according to any one of (1) to (10), in which theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer has light transmissivity withrespect to light in a wavelength region generated by the light-emittinglayer.

(12)

The display unit according to any one of (1) to (11), in which each ofthe first electrode and the second electrode has light transmissivitywith respect to light in a wavelength region generated by thelight-emitting layer.

(13)

The display unit according to any one of (1) to (12), further includinga light adjustment film opposed to the substrate with the secondelectrode in between, the light adjustment film reversibly changingbetween a black state and a transparent state.

In the display unit according to one embodiment of the disclosure, theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer is provided in the pixel region,which causes the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer to beelectrically coupled to the second electrode near the pixels.

According to the display unit of one embodiment of the disclosure, thesecond electrode is electrically coupled to the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer near the pixels, which causes a current toflow through the second electrode and the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer in the pixel region. This makes itpossible to reduce resistance of the second electrode. It is to be notedthat the effects described herein are not necessarily limitative, andmay be any effects described in the disclosure.

Although the technology has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, it is not limited thereto. It should be appreciated thatvariations may be made in the described embodiments by persons skilledin the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure as definedby the following claims. The limitations in the claims are to beinterpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and notlimited to examples described in this specification or during theprosecution of the application, and the examples are to be construed asnon-exclusive. For example, in this disclosure, the term “preferably” orthe like is non-exclusive and means “preferably”, but not limited to.The use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order orimportance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used todistinguish one element from another. The term “substantially” and itsvariations are defined as being largely but not necessarily wholly whatis specified as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term“about” as used herein can allow for a degree of variability in a valueor range. The term “disposed on/provided on/formed on” and its variantsas used herein shall refer to elements disposed directly in contact witheach other or indirectly by having intervening structures therebetween.Moreover, no element or component in this disclosure is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether the element or componentis explicitly recited in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display unit comprising: a substrate includinga pixel region including a plurality of pixels and a peripheral regionoutside the pixel region; a plurality of first electrodes, wherein eachof the plurality of first electrodes is in a corresponding pixel of theplurality of pixels; a second electrode opposed to the first electrode,wherein the second electrode is common for all of the plurality ofpixels; an organic layer between the second electrode and the pluralityof first electrodes, wherein the organic layer comprises alight-emitting layer; a wiring layer between the substrate and theplurality of first electrodes; and an auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer including an organic electrically-conductive material, wherein theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer is electrically coupled to thesecond electrode, and the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer is ina recess in the wiring layer.
 2. The display unit according to claim 1,wherein the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer is on the secondelectrode.
 3. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer is transparent.
 4. The displayunit according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer is in the pixel region and is offset from each of the plurality ofpixels.
 5. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer directly contacts the second electrode. 6.The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer is between the substrate and the secondelectrode.
 7. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the secondelectrode is between the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer and thesubstrate.
 8. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the secondelectrode extends into the recess.
 9. The display unit according toclaim 1, wherein a top surface of the auxiliary electrically-conductivelayer is farther from the substrate than a top surface of the secondelectrode.
 10. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the secondelectrode separates the auxiliary electrically-conductive layer from thewiring layer.
 11. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein anentirety of the second electrode is above the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer.
 12. The display unit according to claim1, further comprising a light adjustment film over the second electrode.13. The display unit according to claim 12, wherein the second electrodeis between the light adjustment film and the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer.
 14. The display unit according to claim1, wherein the plurality of pixels are on a first side of the recess,and the second electrode extends to a second side of the recess oppositethe first side.
 15. The display unit according to claim 1, furthercomprising a partition wall between adjacent pixels of the plurality ofpixels.
 16. The display unit according to claim 15, wherein a firstportion of the second electrode is over the partition wall.
 17. Thedisplay unit according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliaryelectrically-conductive layer extends through the partition wall. 18.The display unit according to claim 16, wherein a second portion of thesecond electrode extends through the partition wall.
 19. The displayunit according to claim 15, wherein an entirety of the second electrodeis over the partition wall.
 20. The display unit according to claim 1,wherein the second electrode directly contacts a sidewall of theauxiliary electrically-conductive layer.